Welcome to this week's edition of Must Have Middle Grade Reads, a weekly feature here on Mundie Moms where I spotlight last week's middle grade books I reviewed on Mundie Kids. This week's Must Have Middle Grade reads are:
By: Phoebe Stone
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Released on: February 1st, 2012
Source: book from publisher to review
Age: 10 & up
4 stars: I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A story about a wounded girl and the boy who won't give up on her.7th grader Louise should be the captain of her school's gymnastics team - but she isn't. She's fun and cute and should have lots of friends - but she doesn't. And there's a dreamy boy who has a crush on her - but somehow they never connect. Louise has everything going for her - so what is it that's holding her back?Phoebe Stone tells the winning story of the spring when 7th grader Louise Terrace wakes up, finds the courage to confront the painful family secret she's hiding from - and finally get the boy.- quoted from Goodreads
This is the story about a girl who used to be someone different. Who used to feel alive, loved gymnastics, being with her friends and writing poetry. It's a story about a girl who dealt with something so traumatic it changed her completely. This is the story about a boy who loves this broken girl and will do anything to make her feel whole again. This is a poignant story about love, forgiveness and finding the strength to move on.
You can read the rest of my review here.
By: Barry Denenberg
Published by: Scholastic
Released on: April 1st, 2011
Source: book from publisher to review
Ages: 8+
5 stars: I Loved It!
Purchase from: Scholastic | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Series: Dear America Series
The peaceful, traditional Southern life that Emma Simpson and her family know is shattered when the Civil War reaches their soil. Soon, Emma's father and brother are called to battle, but her family is confident the South will quickly win the War between the States.As the months drag on, though, the harsh realities of war set in.
Death and hardship are all around Emma, and food, medicine, firewood, and ink for her to write in her diary become increasingly scarce as troops from the North march deeper into the South. Finally, even her home is commandeered by the Yankees. Still, with a brave spirit and the knowledge of what is most important, Emma never loses hope that the war will end.
Acclaimed author Barry Denenberg's WHEN WILL THIS CRUEL WAR BE OVER? is now back in print with a gorgeous new package! -quoted from Goodreads
I absolutely love this series, as each book featured in it takes the reader back into a different time in our country's history. It's both an exciting and educational read. Though I'm out of the targeted age range for these books, I find them to be just as engaging as I would if I was reading these as a young reader. Barry Denenberg does a brilliant job at giving the reader an inside view of the life of a young girl living through the Civil War.
You can read the rest of my review here.
You can also find some fabulous Valentine books for kids on Mundie Kids. This past week I've featured a variety of recent releases from Harper Collins Children's books via A Celebration of Love series here on Mundie Kids.
Middle Grade Monday:
Don't miss my Marvelous Middle Grade Monday meme on Mundie Kids, a weekly meme hosted by author Shannon Messenger's. You can check out this week's Mundie Kids feature here 
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These aren't the genres I normally read but I'll have to consider them since you rave about them so much. Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE middle grade! I think people are really missing out when they skip over MG! There is something so pure about it. Some of my favorite's are middle grade. My neice is 9 yrs old and she is just recently getting into more middle grade appropriate titles and I can't wait to share with her some of my fav's. These books look right up my alley and maybe we'll read them together!
ReplyDeleteMary I totally agree! I get so excited over MG reads. I love that you read with your niece.
DeleteI love your posts. Was not familiar with the first title. I will be reading it for sure. And read more of Dear America, too! Yay on Mary reading with her niece and loving MG too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for spreading the MG love.
Thank you! I love spotlighting MG on the blog. I hope you enjoy The Boy on Cinnamon Street. It's a well written heart felt MG read. I absolutely love the Dear America series! I wish I had this series when I was a teen, though I can't complain because I grew up with the American Girl series.
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